REASONABLE EXPECTATIOS for 2016

#152
#152
VFL-82-JP said:
I can not wait to find out from DAJ how we stand on the 4-year/5-year averages after this signing day. Want to know if we catch up with/pass FL and GA, which I think we're on track to. Of course, we'll probably still be neck-and-neck with both, just on the slightly-ahead side rather than the slightly-behind side.)
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I haven't followed recruiting predictions so this is speculative: UF will likely sign a large class (25-30) and only the highest 20 are counted. We will sign about 20 At best we say neck and neck with them but that may not be likely. UGA would have to tank this year and we would have to close incredibly well for us to get on par with them for our four year average. Doubtful Smart is that inept as a recruiter. Impossible to get even in recruiting with Bama, obviously.
 
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#155
#155
I believe there are too many factors to be considered when setting expectations at this point - injuries to key players will come into play and that is something that cannot be predicted.

What I do expect is the following:

- The team will only lose to teams that are better than them on game day. I for one don't have a problem with a team I support at any level losing to an opponent that proves on the field they are better.

- The team has learned how to maintain a significant lead and keep the pressure on. I believe they are at the point where they expect to win and expect to finish. I expect that to continue.

And I expect that even if Tennessee wins every game next year plus a National Championship there will still be folks on this board that will find something that wasn't good enough and complain - just because that is what they seem to like to do.
 
#156
#156
as i'll be saying all off season...i'll wait til 9-25 to prognosticate about team 120's prospects. have to beat FL. period.
 
#161
#161
McDad said:
I haven't followed recruiting predictions so this is speculative: UF will likely sign a large class (25-30) and only the highest 20 are counted. We will sign about 20 At best we say neck and neck with them but that may not be likely. UGA would have to tank this year and we would have to close incredibly well for us to get on par with them for our four year average. Doubtful Smart is that inept as a recruiter. Impossible to get even in recruiting with Bama, obviously.
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If we catch and pass FL and/or GA, I think it will be more because of who they LOSE in the outgoing class than any differences between who they and we GAIN in the '16 signing class. When DAJ strikes the '12 class off the books, they stand to lose a lot more than we do. See what I'm saying?
 
#162
#162
VFL-82-JP said:
If we catch and pass FL and/or GA, I think it will be more because of who they LOSE in the outgoing class than any differences between who they and we GAIN in the '16 signing class. When DAJ strikes the '12 class off the books, they stand to lose a lot more than we do. See what I'm saying?
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addition by subtraction...yep, i see. since we're dealing with not only the present and predicting the future, there are those previous classes that are still relevant to the equation.
 
#163
#163
VFL-82-JP said:
If we catch and pass FL and/or GA, I think it will be more because of who they LOSE in the outgoing class than any differences between who they and we GAIN in the '16 signing class. When DAJ strikes the '12 class off the books, they stand to lose a lot more than we do. See what I'm saying?
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Does make sense. I didn't even consider that angle. Gonna be interesting.
 
#164
#164
KBVol said:
No, it's the exact opposite. All the excuse making in year four will be completely played and illegitimate. Juniors and seniors all over the place with some very talented and experienced sophomores plugged in. Next year's team and coaching staff, coming off a very successful year 3 which saw them only a handful of plays from playing in Atlanta, ought to seriously compete for an SEC championship and perhaps even more. No more excuses for why the team should fail.
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So basically right off the bat, any loss next year and it's automatically a failure regardless of the circumstances. That seems totally fair.
 
#165
#165
Saw an article on SDS that said 2016 we would be top 5 preseason... I don't agree, but someone there obviously thinks highly of UT
 
#167
#167
BigOrangeTrain said:
So basically right off the bat, any loss next year and it's automatically a failure regardless of the circumstances. That seems totally fair.
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No. Where did I say anything short of an undefeated season is a failure? Answer...nowhere. That's not my expectation. 10-2 and a trip to Atlanta in December is my expectation. And that's more than fair. What I won't accept are all the same excuses about being younger this year than the year before, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah. Hell, there was a poster saying he will be good with 8-4 or 9-3 next year...what? I believe this team can do great things next year given that we were only a few snaps few doing great things this year, 2015.
 
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#168
#168
KBVol said:
No. Where did I say anything short of an undefeated season is a failure? Answer...nowhere. That's not my expectation. 10-2 and a trip to Atlanta in December is my expectation. And that's more than fair. What I won't accept are all the same excuses about being younger this year than the year before, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah. Hell, there was a poster saying he will be good with 8-4 or 9-3 next year...what? I believe this team can do great things next year given that we were only a few snaps few doing great things this year, 2015.
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I agree KB. Just makes no sense with the season we just had and players we have returning that for me a 2 loss team 120 would be a letdown. Bama this year and most years catch a loss so in my head I can see us rolling into ATL with one loss. But anything less than that for me would be disappointing. A >2 loss team 120 begins alarm bells going off for me. Michigan State turned in their performance against the Tide with 20 starting 5th year seniors reportedly. Guess we won't be seeing them for awhile.
 
#170
#170
ksgovols said:
Depends on the 3 upperclassmen that stay or go. Depends on Dobbs improvement from year 3 to year 4 in the passing game and/or the staff's willingness to platoon at qb. Depends on depth development in O-Line.

A reasonable expectation is to move up a notch or two to a 10-11 win team. One of the top 4 in the nation? I don't think we're that good.
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I don't think a cornerback, linebacker and back-up running back will matter. Our team is loaded for 2016. It would be nice to have them on the team but the roster is a juggernaut next year with or without them. I also think we can get by with Dobbs passing game. OLine will be good.
 
#171
#171
Truthfully, a lot is going to depend on who stays and who declares for the NFL. If we get lucky and JRM, Cam, and Kamara all decide to stay then I'd say as-is we are a 9-3 ,possibly 10-2 team who finishes 2nd in the east. If we retain the 3 JR's AND our down field passing game improves, even just a little bit I'd say we are in Atlanta vying for an SEC Championship and a playoff spot.

One very crucial position that will be a huge question mark next season is LT. Whos going to step up and take Kerbyson's place? I know Richmond is being groomed but will he be ready? A RS freshman at that position could get hairy. If that position doesnt get locked down quickly, our OLine could be in trouble.
 
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#172
#172
I would be somewhat disappointed if we lost more than two games next year, everything around this program is trending upward. The population explosion in and around Nashville right now is providing us with the only thing we were ever really missing...a recruiting base full of homegrown talent. Time to capitalize
 
#173
#173
One billion wins! :D
If not I say Tennessee secede, the university that is, not the state.

Joking aside I'd say 9-10 regular season wins would be a reasonable minimum bar I'll set for my happieness/expectations. I do believe the sky is the limit with this team now and will just be happy to see progress in some areas we fell short in this year.

Now let us all pray that first year coaches next year collectively don't become championship caliber teams. That would be lovely.
 
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#174
#174
Brave Volunteer said:
Truthfully, a lot is going to depend on who stays and who declares for the NFL. If we get lucky and JRM, Cam, and Kamara all decide to stay then I'd say as-is we are a 9-3 ,possibly 10-2 team who finishes 2nd in the east. If we retain the 3 JR's AND our down field passing game improves, even just a little bit I'd say we are in Atlanta vying for an SEC Championship and a playoff spot.

One very crucial position that will be a huge question mark next season is LT. Whos going to step up and take Kerbyson's place? I know Richmond is being groomed but will he be ready? A RS freshman at that position could get hairy. If that position doesnt get locked down quickly, our OLine could be in trouble.
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2nd in the East?
 
#175
#175
ProfessorD said:
Was thinking about a scenario today. What if Tennessee goes 11-1 with only loss to undefeated Bama. Vols go to meet Bama in seccg and win. Vols 12-1 bama 12-1. Would both teams get into the playoff or just the vols. Don't know why I thought of this but could be possible. I'll hang up.
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I was thinking the same thing.

Go Vols!
 
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